I wonder why people hype Nalbandian so much, yes, he's a clean ballstriker but chokes on his own sweat time and time again, hell even Juan was able to get shit done in GS unlike this guy.

Great backhand, good ROS, not much else (now watch his tards saying that his FH is the stuff of legends and that Edberg wishes he had his volleys )

Nalbandian's touch at the net? His dropshots? His lobs?

Yes, Nalbandian's had his fair share of "stupid" moments (with the dropshots and lobs), but his style is something else. I think too many folks buy too heavily into the image of him as a choker and a slacker (which to an extent, is a fair analysis of him), but cutting down his talents as a tennis player is treading into dangerous territory. While he will forever be remembered by the public as an underachiever, it speaks to his accomplishments & capabilities (his top 3 ranking, the year-end championship win over Fed in 2005, the numerous wins over Fed & Nadal in his prime) that people still watch him to this day. You can laugh at Nalbandian all you want, but there aren't too many other players who could push Rafa to 3 sets on a slower court and expose Rafa's weaknesses, while making him gut it out for the win. Yes, Nalbandian had some severe brain cramps at the very important moments, but not too many other players would have done enough to bring themselves to even face those very important moments.

You can say Nalbandian lacked the mental fortitude/attitude, but to cast him aside as nothing more than a
"great BH + ROS, but nothing else" is equally questionable. Maybe you ought to watch more of his matches...

03-18-2012 01:15 AM

Stephan

Re: IW QF: Nadal def. Nalbandian 4-6 7-5 6-4

almost to the end of second set David made us believing that he will go to win...
he was just dominant better player...
i'm so disappointed...

03-18-2012 12:41 AM

tennishero

Re: IW QF: Nadal def. Nalbandian 4-6 7-5 6-4

nalby really gifted the match to nadal once again. fucking pig.

03-17-2012 09:19 PM

born_on_clay

Re: IW QF: Nadal def. Nalbandian 4-6 7-5 6-4

03-17-2012 01:47 PM

ElMix

Re: IW QF: Nadal def. Nalbandian 4-6 7-5 6-4

That was so close, but the result was unfortunately NID after the 2nd set. Nalbandian looks really fit, btw.

But when you see the scoreline, when you read the comments, all one can say is... Nalbandian.

Expected Rafa to take him in straights though. Can any sort-of-objective poster please inform me about his level of play?

He was quite bad, especially in the first set, you could see that he is giving too much respect and is afraid of Nalbandian's game, he was not comfortable and he was going for more than needed. Funny thing is that Nalby didn't even played good in that set too, except for a couple of scary good points near the end of the set
In the second they both raised their level, but David was the one with more chances and had slightly upper hand, BP in the opening game 0:30 on 4:3, 30:30 on 5:4, Nadal was a bit lucky there, a line clipping and a net cord and after that Nalbandian really fucked it up, easy put away volley, drop shot attempt and a DF.
In the third the argie just went away for a while, but Nadal gave him a big chance to get back in the match.

Is there animosity between these two? Naldy gave the lawnmower man a cold stare at the net, then rafa went and rubbed his back and whispered something to him.

Good heart from Naldy. Still hoping for nadal to regain his 2010 form but he's got a way to go. Nevertheless he'll gain some confidence beating fed tomorrow.

Nope, they are excellent friends off the court. Nadal has big respect for him, and when it comes to Nalbandian, I doubt he has much respect for anyone's game and he does look like he is afraid of no one, but he is usually battling with his his inner demons regardless of the opponent, that is why he had such a big wins over top players and big looses against journeymen in the past.

Yes, stop living in 2007, it's 2012 now. This Nalbandian can't play much better than this.

Watch a match against Tipsarevic just a couple of days ago.

03-17-2012 01:01 PM

Shinoj

Re: IW QF: Nadal def. Nalbandian 4-6 7-5 6-4

Nadal should be fined for taking more than 25 seconds. It doesnt matter really whether it is a critical juncture or not. He could be or he should be fined at any juncture in a match regardless of the situation.

I will give out the reason why.

To reach at a critical juncture he would have played at all those time when it was not critical at his own sweet rhythm. And in effect playing at his own rhythm he would have disturbed his opponent's rhythm countless times. So he already gains considerable advantage while reaching at critical juncture and its only fair that he gets fined at that critical point.

Anyways its about time that He gets fined for taking more than 25 seconds. Its getting annoying and ridiculous that the rules are not being applied on him.

I agree - it's against the rules. Call him up on it - but do it early in the match rather than at a crucial point and then deduct a point early on too. He'll stop doing it. The fact is him & Djokovic etc. aren't going to change a winning style until they see some consequences. I just don't get the point of randomly saying it towards the end of a match and then not following up on it.

And I agree about the tournament director. Ellison is the owner so him cheering is ok IMO - he's just pouring money in after all - but the tournament director is different as he has more direct control over the players, entry lists etc. It's unprofessional.

Agree almost 100% with this^^ and AJ's initial comments. I think the owner's cheering also doesn't show much class, pouring money in doesn't excuse it. And I'd say the same thing about any other TD or owner anywhere else publicly cheering for a player. In these positions one must show some restraint, no matter their personal preference. Of course one can applaud each player for well played tennis. It's the over the top stuff that is tasteless.

Respectfully,
masterclass

03-17-2012 11:48 AM

arm

Re: IW QF: Nadal def. Nalbandian 4-6 7-5 6-4

Only watched the first set, and tbh, I think Nalby was lucky to win that one. Then I feel asleep and woke up to find out the result was NID.

The mental strength from Nadal triumphed in this. Dumb game Nalbandian played at *5-5 to get broken, easy volley not put away, the missed dropshot. Once that happened, momentum changed and Nadal was able to get it done.

Nalbandian trying a dropshot when he had 2 break points at 5-4 in the 3rd.

Nadal definitely can't complain about lack of crowd support in Indian Wells.

This is pretty much the match. I have to give credit to Nalby for putting up a fight and playing some great tennis, but ultimately that game cost him dearly. Credit to Nadal for hanging in there.

Why did people boo around the end of the first match where the umpire had to intervene? Was it because Nadal wasn't playing well? If so, that is pathetic.

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